Dr. Grant is an internationally recognized and award-winning media psychologist, author, published researcher, Doctoral Addictions Counselor, and educator with specific expertise in technology’s impact on mental health. He was the 2022 President of the American Psychological Association, Division 46 (The Society for Media Psychology & Technology), currently chairs the APA (Division 46) “Device Management & Intelligence” committee, co-chairs the APA (Division 46) “Strategic Planning” committee, is an APA Advocacy Division Partner Liaison, and serves as Secretary of the California Psychological Association Division VI (Media Technology and Communication).

He designs, presents, and facilitates “Healthy Device Management” and “Good Digital Citizenship” treatment strategy and educational training workshops for clinicians, educators, parents, and academic communities. He is a globally respected and popular conference keynote speaker, podcast and onscreen interview guest, and print content contributor in the field of device related behaviors, addiction, and media psychology.

Dr. Grant was invited to join the APA Coalition for Psychology in Schools & Education, which was commissioned by the Centers for Disease Control on behalf of the DASH funded APA Safe and Supportive Schools Primers Project to create a series of adolescent psychology focused support manuals for distribution by the CDC to schools, administrators, and educators nationwide. He and his colleagues completed the printed series in late 2022 and audio recordings of each manual to provide optimal access to their content are currently in production.

His current research includes a large-scale study in partnership with the Newport Healthcare Center for Research and Innovation and Drexel University investigating his theories surrounding the potential impact of a caregiver’s device use behaviors on attachment bonds. He is also engaged in explorations of the identity construct effects of social media, parasocial media relationships, and cyberaggression targeted towards adolescents, teens, young adults, families, and our culture/relationships-at-large.

Other current projects include an international publisher commissioned “Healthy Device Management and Practices of Good Digital Citizenship” guidebook and companion curriculum/group process workbook, serving as Section Leader/Co-Editor/Contributing Author for a special Pediatrics “Children and Digital Media” international issue supplement in partnership with Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development, and as a chapter author contributor for two media psychology topic focused textbooks.

In His Own Words

“The question to ask yourself, and the question I ask my clients and audiences, is, Are your devices controlling you, or are you in control of your devices? Because most online content, apps, and platforms are tied to revenue and consumerism, if it is free, you are most likely the product, and the goal is to keep you online and engaged as long as possible. Young people in particular are vulnerable to the neurological and psychological effects of device overuse, and we need to help them take back the control.”

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